Accidental Surrogate

Ella

I hear Sinclair’s footsteps coming up the stairs just past five, and I realize he must have left work at the earliest available opportunity. I’m not complaining, I’ve been so eager to ask him about Mike ever since the police called me, and as unbelievable as it seems I even find myself missing him the more time we spend apart. I think it must be the pup’s craving to be near its father rather than my own interest, because more often than not I’m nervous or on-edge when we’re together. The one exception is when I go to his rooms at bedtime; I haven’t had a single nightmare since he insisted we begin sleeping together, and I look forward to falling asleep in his strong arms every night.

He comes into my rooms without knocking, offering me a wide smile when he sees me cuddled up in bed. The doctor gave me strict orders to rest today, and after the exhausting ordeal at the hospital, I actually didn’t mind. “Hello trouble.” Sinclair greets me fondly, taking a seat on the edge of my mattress. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” I promise, “No more spotting.” I blush, but I figure we have to get used to speaking on such familiar terms about my body. Pregnancy does nothing if not steal one’s sense of modesty, as the most personal bodily functions must be discussed to assess the baby’s health.

“I’m glad.” Sinclair sighs with visible relief. “Have you checked your blood pressure?”

“No, I’ve been distracted.” I admit.

“Tsk, tsk,” He teases, retrieving the home monitoring device from my bedside. “Let’s have your arm, gorgeous.”

I wait while he settles the cuff around my bicep and presses the machine’s start button. Once the cuff begins to inflate and pressure increases on my arm, I say, “I got a call from the police today.”

Sinclair keeps a perfectly straight face, as if he doesn’t have the first idea what I’m about to say. “Oh?”

“It seems that Mike turned himself in this afternoon.” I share, watching him closely. “He came all the way back from the coast and signed a full confession. He’s going to stand trial.”

Sinclair is busy watching the numbers on the machine, but he manages a distracted smile, “that’s wonderful, Ella.”

I wait for him to say more, but he remains silent, avidly focused on taking my vital signs. “You’re really going to pretend like you had nothing to do with it?” I finally burst.

The machine beeps, and Sinclair frowns, loosening the cuff. “Still too high.” He murmurs, looking back up at me. Sinclair scans my features, taking my cheek in his oversized hand. “Are you still feeling stressed?”

“I’m trying to talk to you about something.” I reply, rather than answering him.

“Ella it was nothing. I would have done it for anyone.” He states simply.

Ella. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re special when you’re anything but. “That might be true.” I murmur, “but it’s a very big deal to me. I don’t know how

do it. That rat deserved a lot worse than a

manner. At the very least it shows that he does care, and I decide then and there that I’m going to find a way to thank him – whether he thinks it’s necessary or

____________

and over again that morning sickness is a good sign, and I shouldn’t complain. After my fourth bout of nausea, I take a few pillows and books into the bathroom, setting up a makeshift camp on the cold tiles so that I’m not constantly

elder Alpha greets me with so much hospitality and generosity I decide I should try and visit more often. “Come in, come in!

hope you don’t mind me dropping by like

welcome anytime.” He replies genially. “I was just about to have a late

I couldn’t impose.”

mother who’s spent the morning indisposed.” He observes wryly. “You’re still green

you.” I smile despite myself. “I see you’re as perceptive as

see you would prefer it if he did not perceive so much.” The

chuckle, taking a seat across from him in the sitting room as a servant runs to get another place setting

you.” He confides. “I expect if I were in your shoes I wouldn’t enjoy having someone read my every thought and

ease in fact that I find the words sliding off my tongue before I can stop them. “I’m not used to men like you and your son, Alpha

nonsense.”

laugh, “you and Dominic really

you know. And I’m so thrilled he’s finally found his

Of any of the people we’re deceiving, Sinclair’s father makes me feel the most ashamed for our lies. “Thank you.” I manage to reply, unable to stop myself from confiding, “we’re both so excited for this baby I’m not sure if we’ve even discussed whether we truly are mates. I mean we’re saying it for the campaign of course, but I hardly think

I know my son, and I know a good match when I see it. You two will get there

me. I’ve been scrambling for some way to thank him, but I’m afraid I don’t know him well enough

assures me, “what kind of

show him how grateful I am.” I explain, “how excited I am to be having this baby together, for

he has a powerful sweet tooth.” Henry intones. “He doesn’t indulge it

giggle, “Really?” It seems so strange that the terrifying Alpha wolf might